Stillpoints - snake oil?

Thyname, you shouldn't be suspicious.  Vibration isolation devices generally work, how well they work is up to many different factors including the system's level of resolution. 

We used to sell Stillpoints we don't sell them now so we have zero skin in the game.

We were introduced to Stillpoints I don't remember how but we found them and decided to try a set of their footers, they were very good.


Stillpoints used to make . Theya space frame looking component stand that we compared to an HRS base which was $1,800.00 and the less expensive $1,000 Stillpoints product was superior.

We then got a demo of the Stillpoints rack about $12k and the difference in sound come from the amplifiers was very noticeable in fact the entire system's sound improved as much as changing a component.

The reason why vibration isolation devices work is simple all electronic devices are subject to microphonic induced distortions. 

Tubes as well as transistors will alter their performance when they are being vibrated. If you think of a transistor as a crystalline device if you vibrate it you will change the way a signal is passing through it, remove the vibration you will induce less distortion and create a cleaner signal.


You should get a demo of these devices and see for yourself. 


You should also know that there are less expensive devices such as the Isoacoustics which rival Stillpoints for a fraction of the price. We have not done a recent demo comparison of the Stillpoints vs the Isoacoustics so we are not sure which one is better we have the older stillpoints cones and the Isoacoustics do seem to rival them.. 

Start with you amp and preamp, play a piece of music you know for about 30 seconds from the beginning of the track. add one set of isolation devices replay the track, listen to what changes.


You should notice tighter bass, a more focused soundstage, greater micro dynamics. 


Then add a set under your amp listen for the same changes. 


Then add a set under your dac and transport same thing


Once you have three or four sets on your gear, listen again to a track and then remove the devices and see what changes, if you agree that the system doesn't sound anywhere as good, put them back in figure out what pieces and how many sets you need.

As long as your dealer lets you borrow a few sets of these devices you should be able to perform these tests for yourself.


Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ

djones that is just a silly argument.  Take for example an automobile Ford could make tires for their cars themselves it isn't practical, Pirelli has invested millions of dollars perfecting their designs, molds, tread patterns, carbon black compounds, etc. 

You are assuming that a power cord is a simple piece of wire, sometimes there is a lot more going on with weaving, custom materials, custom dielectrics and so on. 

Cable companies specialize in creating vey advanced designs that are sold because they a product sound better even if sold wholesale that additional cost will have to be factored into the products selling price which now will be more expensive. 


Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ

Djones  every manufacturer includes a $2 power cord in the box to power their components. However many people have used high end after market power cords to glorious results.  So should a company then have to spend hundred or thousands of dollars to include a high end cord with their product?

The reality is most manufacturers don't want to add  additional costs to their products. Not to mention they might not want to be seen endorsing one particular brand of product. 


If for example Audio Research started putting in a $500 Shunayata power cord or an AQ or Wireworld one, how much would that add to the cost of their product? What if the end consumer already was using a more expensive power cord and didn't like the brand that came with the product, that means that nice $500 power cord wouldn't be used and the end consumer would have paid extra for a product they didn't use. 


Same things with vibration isolation devices there are a large number of companies that make these devices and some companies do use them, we used to sell Audio Aero CD players and they came with Black Diamond Racing footers. 


Try some you might like them.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ

Guys I will post an intersting demo protocall I designed when I worked at Innovative Audio in NYC.

The store has a whole bunch of solid steel racks which are a metal frame with little tiptoes and mdf shelves.

I would do a demo comparing a $995 Rega Apollo CD player vs a $3,000 Classe CD player.

Started with both players on top of their racks connected to the same integrated amplifier and speakers.

I would play the  $1k Rega which sounded good and then the more expensive $3k Classe player.

Then started by adding a set of $60 Black Diamond Racking Cones under the Rega, and the Rega improved in focus, macro dynamics. Still not as good as the Classe but audibily  better.

Then added a Black Diamond Racing Shelf which was $900 slab of carbon fiber and other damping materials and another set of cones and boom the Rega sounded way better than the Classe, the sound stage was wider, details were clearer, macro dynamics were improved. The $995 Rega now outperformed the $3,000 Classe, then at the last part of the demo took the Rega off the isolation base and put on the Classe and boom the Classe was now sounding again far better.

The demo was so conclusive than in one year I sold $60k worth of Black Diamond Racing product.

The moral of the story is that removing vibrations from both solid state and tube gear makes that gear perform better it is really that simple.

With all of these devices it is not hard to arrange for an in home demo.

We had a similar experience now with the Isoacoustics pucks a set of their $20 pucks made a very audible improvement under a set of ATC SCM 19 we just lifted up the speaker put down three pucks and listened to the same track, the importer’s rep heard it, I heard it and two customers in the shop heard it. So it was either mass hypnosis or these devices do tend to work.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ